3 ways to transition to a better job

You’ve identified that you are in a Wrong Job (and all that means is that is the Wrong Job for you, for whatever the reason!) and you want to transition to something that is better for you.  But how?

 

Get a values fit

 

“The most common reason for people not succeeding in their jobs (assuming they have the ability to do that role) is not fitting the team culture”, says Jimmy Armitage, Director of Box of Jobs https://www.boxofjobs.co.uk, a recruitment company inspiring change.  “To feel fulfilled and happy, your priority needs to be working with a group that all agree on the fair way to behave. Focussing on doing great work, without worrying about covering your back or office politics, will leave you much more fulfilled and happier in the long run. As the saying goes “People don’t leave companies they leave bad bosses”.

 

If you know what culture you want to work in then great, search for companies that share your values. Read their websites, check them out on Glassdoor and Indeed to see what team members have to say about working there. When you find the ones that sound like the right fit for you, apply direct to them even if they aren’t advertising any roles. This demonstrates you actually want to work with them and if you get shortlisted, being a candidate that won’t cost the employer 15% of the first year’s salary will certainly give you an edge. 

 

If you don’t know your values, then check out this free tool which will help you https://www.valuescentre.com/our-products/products-individuals/personal-values-assessment-pva

 

Remember, working in a great supportive team is your right, not a privilege. Now get out there and make it happen!”

 

Assess your strengths

 

What are your key strengths that make you feel like you are making the biggest difference?  These link to the skills and attributes that you will want to use the most in perfect job. Job satisfaction stems from feeling fulfilled and engaged by your work and by feeling like you are making a difference and doing a good job.  

Not sure what your strengths are?  Check out the Via strengths survey.https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register  Or use https://kevan.org/joharias a way of asking others what your strengths are.  You input what you see and then ask friends and colleagues what they think of you.  You get a report to see where they overlap and where they differ.  No negatives means this is a great exercise to explore some strengths that you may not recognise yourself.

 

Work on your skills

 

You may not have all of the right skills for your Dream Job.  Yet.  But you and I both know that with dedication, time and effort, you can build them.  But how? Firstly, identify your deficit. Scan job descriptions for the kind of job you want, look at the LinkedIn profiles of people already in those jobs and make a list of all the skills that you see.  Compare that with your own and find where you are low or lacking.  

Now brainstorm where you can build those skills.  Here are some suggestions to get you started:  

 

·      Volunteer work.  This can range from a couple of hours a month to full weekends, without having to give up your day job.  

 

·      Skills swap.  Does anyone in your network have the skill that you need and would they be willing to do some training with you?  You can offer them some of your skills in return.  If there’s no-one in your network, look at http://www.swapaskill.comwhich has thousands of people offering up their skills in return for yours.  

 

·      Temporary work.  I loved my temporary work as a student and the older I get the more I realise it gave me way more skills than I had realised at the time.  Now if you’re stuck in a job with limited time away, this is more difficult, but it’s not impossible.  You can take temporary jobs during time off, or if you’re between jobs. The added bonus of temporary work is that you also get to see first-hand what the company culture is like.  If you like it, even if the job’s not for you, you now have an in to a company you might want to work for.

 

·      Pay for it.  Universities and colleges are not the only places to offer courses in anything from plumbing to beekeeping to pattern drafting.  There are tonnes of providers of courses out there.  If a well-known search engine doesn’t come up with local or online results, your local council should be able to provide you with a list of nearby courses.

 

Believe in your ability to make change happen

 

The last point is really about your belief and your mindset.  If you knew that you could go and get a job that you found fulfilling, satisfying and that you looked forward to going to, what would you do?  Would you go for it?  

You absolutely can get that job.  I work with clients that feel like they will never be able to find it and they do. Sometimes it can take a long time, but what’s the next 12 months compared to the entire rest of your working life?

Please believe that you have the ability to make change happen.  Nobody deserves to stay in a job that makes them miserable and I believe passionately in how career wellbeing impacts every part of your life.  Whatever you want to do, decide today to take a small step towards your bright and brilliant future.